Middlebury May 18th 1865, Rev. Dr. Tyler Dear Sir Yours of the 6 & 13 was recd [sic] a day or two since. It seems that our friends up north are deter- mined on union with us, at all events. If they can not succeed in one way they will in another. Perhaps so. We shall see. The plan pro- posed and advocated by their president elect, meets with no favor in this quarter: it is pronounced puerile and im = practicable. If that is a spe = imen of his wisdom it does not promise much for the up = building of that Institution
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We can do nothing that will involve a surrender of our charter, unless driven to it by sheer necessity. That neces = sity does not exist at present, and I do not think it will - It is a question of dollars and cents. Can we get funds to en = dow our College to a fair degree? I think so - the subscription Is making progress, and our Copper Mine promises well. We might at once place it in the market with good prospect - of success, but it is thought best - to open it a little more, with the belief that a few hundred dollars expended now will add many thousands to itâs market value. Of course we may be disappointed, but practical miners say it looks very en- couraging.We shall know in
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a month, what to expect. Our Board will meet on Tuesday the 6th of June to con = sider sundry things of Import = ance to us. You must be pres = ent. Will you please tell me who are the two members committed to the plan of un = ion of Mr.[strikethrough] union [/strikethrough] Boardman? C. & A. Walker I suppose I intend to be in Boston at the Great Council, shall hope to meet you there. I am oppressed with dutles my health is not equal to what Is required of me - President - Professor, Financier Agent - and Building Committee &[etc?] If Mid. Coll. [sic] had a new pres - ident. I could cooperate with him in building up the Institution & relieve him
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from those multifarious du- ties & distracting ca[res?] which have broken my health - I have served the College 25 years, & think I ought now to be excused. Mrs. L writes her regards to Yourself & Mrs. T. Very Truly Yours B. Labaree
